making the cut

so. this week i’ve been learning how, just when i thought the downsizing was done and over, it was time for round 307. we got rid of a ton when we took off in the airstream, and then again when we bought the house and realized uhm hello..  some of that no brainer stuff we kept.. it’s not going to fit into 528 sq. ft., and now, i’m at it again.

things like the extra guest pillow, blanket, cot… hmmm. where should those go in a house with one closet that’s already being shared by two people and it’s not that big. and even bigger than that, the little stuff. i have a tall 4 drawer filing cabinet that was home to stationery, limited craft stuff (papers, scissors, glue, the minimum), all of our photos, files of important papers. nothing crazy. just those little things everyone has. oh and no room for the filing cabinet. organizing is not a problem for me, i can organize a mansion full of stuff down to a tiny sewing box, but when there literally is no room, that’s when it gets hard. what. can. we. keep.

as it turns out, not so much. it’s a blessing of course, simple living gives back ten fold. less to worry over, care for, dust, move, store, you name it. it’s all going to be fine, just different. stationery at the ready… no more, instead, occasion arises, off to target for a single card. photos.. do we even like those people anymore, wait.. who are those people? off to recycling. oooh, but memorabilia, high school, college, folded notes, cards… such goodness. i have a tiny suitcase, it’s vintage and plaid and perfect to hold onto memories, just not too many. it’s full. and i have a whole bag of every card from my mom & dad from ever. i think i’m going to have to cave and have two suitcases. and every single card from my sweet husband. (but i squeezed them into the first suitcase.. not as many, yet!)

i’ve read a book and multiple stories of people who’ve done the 100 thing challenge. that’s a lot bigger than it seems, unless each group of an item gets counted as one; otherwise with my cards alone i’m doomed. but if you count a group as one, it is a bit like cheating. think of gandi, he had what, 6 things? oye. what about the christmas stockings?! (;

anyhoo. that’s what i’ve been doing, getting the filing cabinet off of the front porch, and then getting all of the stuff in it gone. and in the meantime i’m behind on two or four seriously good posts of what we were up to when mama mia was in town! and now it’s memorial weekend and we have fun plans for a cookout with new friends, going to two festivals, and yes, catching up on photos and sharing a great hike and beautiful flowers. what are you doing this weekend?

Filed Under: everyday // bits & pieces
Tagged: denver colorado blog, doll house suitcase, memorial day, simplifying *please & thank you* link back to us if you re-post something you see here. Comment »

flag etiquette

»»» with memorial day right around the corner (and summer!!) american flags will be coming out for the season. did you know there are lots of etiquette rules to follow? my family put out a flag almost everyday growing up and those etiquette lessons have always stuck with me. a few good tips → the flags union should always be hung at the peak of the staff hanging from your house (unless at half staff), should always be hung during daylight, and if hung in the evening must be illuminated. when raising, bring it up briskly, and lower slowly and ceremoniously, and never, ever let the flag touch the ground. there are many other etiquette rules, but for the average household honoring memorial, flag day, 4th of july, and labor day holidays this will keep you in good standing. do you hang a flag and if so, do you follow any etiquette rules?

(photo)

Filed Under: holidays
Tagged: american flag, flag day, flag etiquette, labor day, memorial day *please & thank you* link back to us if you re-post something you see here. Comment »